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NASA United Space School scholars presented with certificates

Fri, 18 Sep 2020

Three Isle of Man students who took part in NASA’s FISE United Space School – held online this year because of Covid-19, rather than in Houston – have been presented with certificates to mark their achievement.

Sophie Bell, Joseph Dunne and Benjamin Li attended the Department of Education, Sport and Culture headquarters in Douglas, where they received the certificates from Minister Dr Alex Allinson MHK.

The students were chosen as the recipients of scholarships, which have been awarded for the last 20 years by Manx satellite firm, the ManSat Group.

The scholarships are awarded in cooperation with the DESC and the very first recipient was Dr Jennifer Stone, who is now Chief Technical Officer for ManSat.

In previous years, the scholars have spent two weeks in Houston each July, working alongside peers from more than 20 countries on planning a simulated crewed mission to Mars, supported by NASA astronauts, engineers and scientists.

The global pandemic meant this year’s United Space School had to be held online, via video conference. However, Sophie, Joseph and Benjamin will be invited to attend the 2021 United Space School, to make up for missing out on the trip to the United States this year.

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